England exit Ladies’s Cricket World Cup: How a lot progress is being created from Charlotte Edwards’ aspect after semi-final defeat in India?

England’s hopes of Ladies’s World Cup glory ended abruptly with a heavy 125-run defeat to South Africa, however what did we be taught from their semi-final exit?

South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt smashed 169 from 143 balls to push the Proteas to 319-7 in Guwahati, earlier than Marizanne Kapp’s five-wicket haul – together with two in a chaotic opening over – helped dismiss England for 194 within the forty third over.

England had reached the 50-over last in three of the earlier 4 50-over World Cups, together with house victory within the 2017 version, however will now sit out of Sunday’s showpiece occasion between South Africa and both Australia or India.

How spectacular had been South Africa?

Victory for South Africa, who suffered semi-final heartache in opposition to England on the earlier two World Cups, was made extra outstanding by the very fact they had been overwhelmed by 10 wickets – having been skittled for 69 – when the 2 sides met earlier within the competitors.

“Three and a half weeks ago, when England played South Africa on this very ground, they absolutely hammered them,” former England captain Nasser Hussain advised Sky Sports activities Cricket

“When South Africa left right here [after group stage loss] you fearful for them somewhat bit. They received their subsequent 5 video games and have now come again right here in a semi-final and finished to England what England did to them.

“It is a team game made up of individuals, but those two individuals were so far above every other cricketer on show today. Laura Wolvaardt with the bat and Marizanne Kapp with the ball were just magnificent and just too good for England.”

Was extra anticipated from England?

Amy Jones, Heather Knight and Tammy Beaumont had been all dismissed for geese, contained in the opening seven deliveries, as England made the worst potential begin to their bid for a report chase in a girls’s knockout recreation.

England head coach Charlotte Edwards insisted post-match that England are making progress, having come into the position after their 16-0 Ashes drubbing earlier this 12 months, however will not characteristic within the last for the primary time since 2013.

“I think with Charlotte Edwards you probably did [expect more] because, like she said there, she’s a winner,” Hussain defined. “She won’t put up with mediocrity and people coasting.

“It does take time to vary a tradition and I feel that is what she needed to do. Nat Sciver-Brunt talked about it too, from the earlier regime to this regime.

“My areas of concern are that they’re still too heavily reliant on Nat Sciver-Brunt and very similar, repetitive nature of dismissals for the top three – the ball nipping back in or swinging back in. What are they doing to correct that?”

The place else can England enhance?

England received 5 of their seven matches within the group stage, with their match in opposition to Pakistan a no-result on account of rain and their solely defeat coming in opposition to title favourites Australia, though might England’s gamers have provided extra?

“When you look at some of the opposition, young players and people who have been around for a while, like [Annabel] Sutherland and Ash Gardner or Tazmin Brits, England’s young players are not progressing,” Hussain admitted.

“Sophia Dunkley’s had a poor tournament and Alice Capsey, until today (semi-final defeat), too. I think it’s a sign of a coach and a system that if your young players are progressing, then that is a good sign that you’re getting things right in the dressing room.

“Your greats will at all times grow to be higher and higher. Nat Sciver-Brunt will at all times grow to be a greater and higher cricketer, that is why she’s a fantastic, however I would prefer to see the younger gamers progress.”

How do England build for the future?

England Women host the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 on home soil from June 12 to July 15, along with home series against New Zealand, India and Ireland, with Hussain explaining the challenge of weaving players into the international set-up over the next year.

“Freya Kemp is good, but she’s a bit more of a finisher. Jodi Grewcock at Essex, who I saw in The Hundred a little bit, is pretty talented. The only problem is these names we’ve mentioned; Davina Perrin, Grewcock, Tilly Corteen-Coleman – they’re still quite a bit of experience away.

“The way you begin introducing a few of these younger gamers – underneath an excellent coach in Charlotte Edwards – goes to be necessary, so that you do progress them as cricketers.

“It is really easy to say after Davina Perrin will get that 100 in The Hundred that she should play, however there is a large step from that to the subsequent degree, taking part in to your nation. And with Corteen-Coleman, they have two superb left-arm spinners already, so do you play a 3rd?

“There are still areas to improve. I wouldn’t say there’s been massive progress. They look fitter, the fielding’s better. Their coach is a superb coach that will make them better, if you give her time.”

What’s subsequent?

The Ladies’s Cricket World Cup last takes place on Sunday, with South Africa dealing with Australia or co-hosts India in Navi Mumbai (reside on Sky Sports activities Cricket from 9am, first ball at 9.30am). Stream cricket, soccer, golf and extra contract-free with NOW.